This is my LDD model of the Space: 1999 Eagle Transporter. It is built to minifig scale. You can also see larger images at my Flickr site: https://www.flickr.com/photos/118702264@N05/sets/72157645635403374/. You can find PDF building instructions for sale (at a modest price) on my Etsy site: www.etsy.com/ca/shop/KurtsMOCs.
Also, due to your great support for this model, I have posted the Eagle Transporter on Lego Ideas (https://ideas.lego.com/projects/79378). I would greatly appreciate your support!

About this creation

This picture illustrates the simple assembly technique for the Eagle’s superstructure.

The superstructure sub-assembly for the main superstructure cages is a simple repeating element. There are grey connecting elements on the top for the main superstructure spine.

Two of the sub-assemblies are pinned together at the main sub-assembly joints.

Joined together, the sub-assemblies comprise the fore and aft superstructure elements. The fore superstructure will hold the service module while the aft will hold the engineering module.

The Eagle has an additional assembly ring to facilitate the connection of the Command Module and the Drive Assembly. They are pinned together at the main sub-assembly joints.

With all of the sub-assemblies in place, the fore and aft superstructure elements are ready to be joined together.

The superstructure spine assembly joins the fore and aft superstructure elements. At the midsection, there are the connecting points for the various modules the Eagle will carry.

With the spine in place, the superstructure of the Eagle is complete. This model was conceived and designed to have simple connection points for the various modules, which were designed and build separately.

The design for the Service and Engineering module is basically the same. The forward Service module contained the air recycling/ventilation system, the galley, and food storage lockers. The aft Engineering module contained the fusion reaction chamber that was connected to the main drive assembly.

Each of the modules was designed to snap into place with two connection points. This design feature made assembly of the various components easy, especially once the size of the model began to grow.

This is the outboard fuel tank pod. It contains deuterium tanks, sensors, and supported the landing gear suspension. To my mind, these pods are one of the iconic features of the Eagle and difficult to model well in Lego. I tried several iterations and finally settled on an angled-plate configuration. The maneuvering rocket configuration was a satisfying design solution!

The angled-plate configuration exposed the studs of the plates a bit more than I would have liked but it gave me the freedom to achieve the design solution I was looking for. In the end, it was a compromise I could live with and model still looks like it was made from Lego. This picture shows the landing gear in a fully retracted configuration, which was seen on Eagles in the Moonbase Alpha Hanger.

Attached to the Service and Engineering modules, the Eagle begins to take shape. The figure gives a sense of scale: The model is a bit larger than it should be but the increased size gave me some flexibility with the superstructure and outboard fuel tank pod designs.

If the octagonal outboard fuel tank pods were one of the iconic features of the Eagle, then definitely the Command Module is the other. The complex, compounding curves are tricky to model in Lego. I’ve seen other Lego Eagles and borrowed a few techniques to complete mine: I'm definitely standing on the shoulders of giants!

The front of the Eagle’s Command Module was relatively (!) easy to complete compared to the rear. I had to break with my bent curved plate technique in order to render the transitional curve. I admit, its not the most elegant solution!

Here, you can peek into the Command Module’s interior. It is fully rendered.

With the Command Module attached to the superstructure, the Eagle is mostly complete.

The Main Drive Assembly was tricky to build correctly. I tried several variations of the main engine nozzles before settling on this final design. As with many other design feature of my model, I would try to accurately capture the shape and details of the original but where warranted, like the engine nozzles, I let the logic of Lego construction dictate the final form. To my mind, the engine nozzles have a pleasing shape and design, even though they are not 100% authentic. These subtle variations are consciously done because I wanted to make a nice Lego model as well as being as faithful to the original design. I am sure the original Eagle model makers did the same things with the materials they had at hand (or so I want to believe)!

The drive coil assemblies and plasma accelerators are connected to the main engine nozzles while the smaller deuterium tanks are connected via a separate piping system. A sub-assembly ring holds the drive components together.

Fully assembled, the basic Eagle is now complete!

From this angle it is possible to see the VTOL thrusters attached to the fore and aft modules.

In the series, there were several variations of the utility pods that the Eagle would carry. I have modelled the basic Type A utility pod. This is the standard passenger module, which could accommodate up to eight personnel.

The interior of this utility pod is known as the Reconnaissance or Survey Eagle. Half of the passenger seating is removed and replaced with reconnaissance and survey equipment and computers. In this model, the roof of the utility pod is removable and the interior is fully modelled in classic 1970's space colours!

Here, you can see the space suit lockers are towards the front flanked by two cargo areas that hold a Moon Buggy each. There are two main entrance sliding doors on either side of the pod and the Eagle’s main computer, the operator’s table, and passenger seating area.

Another view showing Chief Pilot Alan Carter sauntering back to see what’s happening on this week's episode.

Here is Eagle One with a Type A utility pod in place. Like the other modules with this model, the utility pod snaps into place at two simple connection points.

The utility pods had additional VTOL thrusters and extendable landing pads. This permitted the Eagles to pick up and drop off modules as required.

As seen in the first episode “Breakaway”, a VIP Eagle transports high-ranking officials between Earth and the Moon. VIP Eagles are distinguished by their orange paint scheme.

Rescue Eagles had a red striped utility pod equipped with a variety of rescue and life-saving equipment.

The Laboratory utility pod had an extended airlock for decontamination purposes. The pod was also used for Eagle-to-Eagle docking.

The complex angles of this pod were particularly difficult to model correctly. I had to make a few compromises in the design but the end result was better than I hoped for.

In some episodes, the Eagle would be fitted with a Booster Drive assembly mounted on the spine assembly.

Freighter Eagles were equipped with a pallet-type pod that was used to carry nuclear waste canisters to the Nuclear Disposal Area. Here, you can see the pod empty.

The Winch Pod allowed the Eagle to pick up and drop objects. Here, a Freighter Eagle is carrying a nuclear waste canister.

In the first episode, Freighter Eagles carry the nuclear waste canisters to the Nuclear Disposal Area. It was the unintentional detonation of this nuclear waste that broke the Moon from its Earth orbit and sent it on its two-season, 48 episode journey through space!

Action shot of an Eagle dropping off a Passenger utility pod. The special effects artist Brian Johnson designed the Eagle. George Lucas saw Brian’s work on Space: 1999 and wanted him to work on Star Wars. His obligations to the TV series prevented him from joining Star Wars but he was the effects supervisor for The Empire Strikes Back, winning an Oscar in 1981 for his team’s work.

Any Space: 1999 model would not be complete without the Moon Buggy! The Moon Buggy was a modified version of an amphibious vehicle known as the Amphicat. The space suits are a mixture of Classic Space Lego helmets and air tanks and Star Wars X-Wing pilot uniforms. I can’t think of a better tribute to the formative shows of my youth! Thanks to Wikipedia and eagletransporter.com for the information.

Quoting Paul Förster
Hi Kurt,
I bought your BIs for the Eagle Transporter and the new Mark IX Hawk from etsy.com. I tried to rebuild the command module of the Eagle Transporter from the PDF. It turns out that I needed 21 parts less than you did.
I have a big request, though: Could you please include the lxf files in the etsy.com delivery? It's very hard to rebuild the lxf files from the PDFs created by LDD because they mostly show the wrong perspective. Also, could you please turn on brick contours when creating the PDFs?
I know it's hard to make good BIs because a good BI has to be hand made but turning on the brick contours and also including the lxf files would be a really improvement.
Thanks very much for these two great models, though. I'm impressed! :-)
Cheers,
Paul

Thanks for your continued interest in my models. I sent you a message through my Etsy site about the LXF files. I'm glad you like my work and thanks for your support.

Hi Kurt,
I bought your BIs for the Eagle Transporter and the new Mark IX Hawk from etsy.com. I tried to rebuild the command module of the Eagle Transporter from the PDF. It turns out that I needed 21 parts less than you did.
I have a big request, though: Could you please include the lxf files in the etsy.com delivery? It's very hard to rebuild the lxf files from the PDFs created by LDD because they mostly show the wrong perspective. Also, could you please turn on brick contours when creating the PDFs?
I know it's hard to make good BIs because a good BI has to be hand made but turning on the brick contours and also including the lxf files would be a really improvement.
Thanks very much for these two great models, though. I'm impressed! :-)
Cheers,
Paul

Quoting Ed A
Incredible detail. Thanks for the break down on the modules. It would be great to build this in ABS. Would it be possible to get more detail on the landing gears / pods and cockpit? Season 1 of Space 1999 was just the greatest. I need to invest in the BluRay release as I only have the set on AE's 16mm DVD transfer.

Thanks for your comments Ed! I'm glad you like the model. I have instructions for the Eagle Transporter on my Etsy site (see above). Enjoy watching the original episodes!

Incredible detail. Thanks for the break down on the modules. It would be great to build this in ABS. Would it be possible to get more detail on the landing gears / pods and cockpit? Season 1 of Space 1999 was just the greatest. I need to invest in the BluRay release as I only have the set on AE's 16mm DVD transfer.

Quoting Marcus Paul
Fantastic build, this must be the best Eagle around! There is no section which isn't as elaborate as possible. I love especially the way you made those diagonal elements of the frame. What about Cuusoo/Ideas? I don't have an account - but I'd get one for this. ;-)

Thanks for your generous comments Marcus. I'm glad you liked my Eagle model. I wanted to give this model a level of accuracy and honesty in its construction. As I've mentioned before, I sweated the details of the frame in order to get a design solution that worked and was faithful to the original. As for Cuusoo/Ideas, I think the model is much too large to actually make it as a kit and I may be stepping on some copyrights because its from a TV show. But who knows, maybe I'll give it a shot. Thanks for your support!

Fantastic build, this must be the best Eagle around! There is no section which isn't as elaborate as possible. I love especially the way you made those diagonal elements of the frame. What about Cuusoo/Ideas? I don't have an account - but I'd get one for this. ;-)

Quoting Dario Del Frate
Kurt, as AFOL, I am most impressed! The TV show was fantastic and the fine and meticolous LDD work you did is true to the original model. I myself spent one year over LDD to coplete my falcon, so I guess I know the effort it takes!
I particularly appreaciate the construction in modules: so very elegant from a building perspective! This looks no fragile MOC full of illegal connections, this is serious engineering. Definitely the best eagle around. Graet 5/5!

Thanks for your comments Dario! Like you, I appreciated the original design of the Eagle and I wanted to capture that functionality and logic in my model. I also wanted to make all of the connections feasible and design a structural system that pays homage to the original. There are one or two inconsistencies but they are minor compared to the resolution of the rest. I'm glad you like my model!

Kurt, as AFOL, I am most impressed! The TV show was fantastic and the fine and meticolous LDD work you did is true to the original model. I myself spent one year over LDD to coplete my falcon, so I guess I know the effort it takes!
I particularly appreaciate the construction in modules: so very elegant from a building perspective! This looks no fragile MOC full of illegal connections, this is serious engineering. Definitely the best eagle around. Graet 5/5!

Quoting Stuart Lucas
Outstanding, I've often thought of trying to build an Eagle in Lego but baulked at the shapes and complexity. You've done an amazing job here with loads of attention to detail! Showing how all the modules come together is really the icing on the cake, it captures the futurisitc realism of the design. If I could, I'd give you 6/5!

Thanks Stuart! As I've mentioned before, it took several iterations before I found a construction system that looked right and was adaptable: the Lego folder on my computer is full of "Eagle Prototype" LDD files! I would say I've been working on this model on and off for over a year so its nice to see it finally realized in a form close to what I originally intended. I'm glad you like it as well!

Quoting Scott Bourgeois
You've done an outstanding job with this model! Thank you for showing us the construction details, that is one complex build. Loved the series, and this model is a fitting tribute to the show.

Thanks for your comments Scott. I wanted the Eagle to be accurate but still follow the logic and aesthetics of Lego construction. I'm glad to hear from another Space: 1999 fan too!

Outstanding, I've often thought of trying to build an Eagle in Lego but baulked at the shapes and complexity. You've done an amazing job here with loads of attention to detail! Showing how all the modules come together is really the icing on the cake, it captures the futurisitc realism of the design. If I could, I'd give you 6/5!

Quoting James C
Kurt..this series brings back memories. What an excellent job. You do the series justice. Magnificent craftsmanship.

Thanks for your comments James. In my opinion, the Eagle is an icon in the sci-fi landscape. It was a lot of fun figuring out the design and putting it all together, especially the many variants! I'm glad you like the final result.

Quoting Sasha Pastasha
Not only did you make a fabulous, accurate model, the way you solved the technical problems was fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing details of how you did the different sections. Simply gorgeous.

Thanks for your comments Sasha. I always enjoy seeing the WIP of other builders and thought it would be interesting to show the design and building process of this model. The Eagle is such a pragmatically designed spacecraft that it lent itself well to this type of narrative. I'm glad you liked it!

Quoting christophe corthay
So wicked !!!! This is the first space ship I've seen when I was a kid and since, I'm a fan of S.F..... so thanks to her and Thanks to you to remind us old memories.
Plus, the way of building is so cool and makes me want to try to build it....
Well done pal !!

Thanks Christophe! Its great to know there are other Space: 1999 fans out there as well. I loved the technology of the show, especially the Eagle. I've longed to make an accurate one in Lego. Thanks for the support!

So wicked !!!! This is the first space ship I've seen when I was a kid and since, I'm a fan of S.F..... so thanks to her and Thanks to you to remind us old memories.
Plus, the way of building is so cool and makes me want to try to build it....
Well done pal !!

Quoting Tim C
Super killer design. Love the engines and your subtle use of greebling. It was a nice touch adding all the exposed framework. Gives it a strong utilitarian look. Great work!

Thanks for the comments Tim and I appreciate your support. The tubular superstructure was important to get right if the Eagle was going to look correct. It took a few variations but I found a design solution that did what I wanted it to do. I'm glad you like it as well!

Quoting Alex Sonny
I agree with below, It does look realistic! It really looks like something we'd send into space one day, it's perhaps missing a detail here and there, but otherwise it's beautiful! You have inspired me to try and make something similar, hopefully it'll go well. Cheers!

Thanks for your comments Alex. I can't wait to see what you come up with! Good luck!

I agree with below, It does look realistic! It really looks like something we'd send into space one day, it's perhaps missing a detail here and there, but otherwise it's beautiful! You have inspired me to try and make something similar, hopefully it'll go well. Cheers!

Quoting Gabor Pauler
Everything can enter in the Earth's athmosphere but only once... In engineering point of view, the command module seems to be plausible reentry vehicle as an emergency capsule. The problem is that it cannot go with windscreen forward: it has to be rotated by thruster 180 degrees to turn its back forward, where reasonable graphite composite heat shield can be placed. But then the problem is with the door at the back side: no door sealing can resist 5000 centigrades temperature... But these problems are not your problems, but problems of the original series. Your model is just perfect.

Great points about the real issues. I can only assume the designers of the Eagle thought about this and you're correct: these are their design problems, not mine. Thanks for the dialogue and the support!

Everything can enter in the Earth's athmosphere but only once... In engineering point of view, the command module seems to be plausible reentry vehicle as an emergency capsule. The problem is that it cannot go with windscreen forward: it has to be rotated by thruster 180 degrees to turn its back forward, where reasonable graphite composite heat shield can be placed. But then the problem is with the door at the back side: no door sealing can resist 5000 centigrades temperature... But these problems are not your problems, but problems of the original series. Your model is just perfect.

Quoting Gabor Pauler
Some hint about retracting mechanism of landing legs: place two technic cross axles vertically in deuterium tanks in 1 stud distance. The first is fixed to the tank but can be rotated. It is covered by 2-3 worm gears. The second axle can slide up and down relative to the tank, this is the landing gear leg. It has single "bush for cross axle" part fixed on that. The double rim of bush catches the grooves of worm gears and travels up and down when worm gear is rotated. This is the most compact linear actuator mechanism I know. BUT: Why ever we need retracting landing gear in the vacuum of space? There is no drag. The only engineering reason is if Eagle is packed in a hangar or cargo bay of a larger craft to make it more compact...

Those hints are helpful. I'll have a look at trying them out. You have it correct: the landing pads retract primarily for storage in the hangar. Also, apparently Eagles were capable of entering the Earth's atmosphere as well. Thanks for the building advice!

Some hint about retracting mechanism of landing legs: place two technic cross axles vertically in deuterium tanks in 1 stud distance. The first is fixed to the tank but can be rotated. It is covered by 2-3 worm gears. The second axle can slide up and down relative to the tank, this is the landing gear leg. It has single "bush for cross axle" part fixed on that. The double rim of bush catches the grooves of worm gears and travels up and down when worm gear is rotated. This is the most compact linear actuator mechanism I know. BUT: Why ever we need retracting landing gear in the vacuum of space? There is no drag. The only engineering reason is if Eagle is packed in a hangar or cargo bay of a larger craft to make it more compact...

Quoting clayton Marchetti
Wow! The Eagle! I love it and it's in minifig scale. Love the frame work and the command module. The engines and fuel tanks are just perfect. The interior of the center module is amazing! Brilliant work Kurt!

Thanks Clayton! I appreciate the comments and I'm glad to know there's yet another Eagle fan out in MOCpages!

Wow! The Eagle! I love it and it's in minifig scale. Love the frame work and the command module. The engines and fuel tanks are just perfect. The interior of the center module is amazing! Brilliant work Kurt!

Quoting Misa Nikolic
Incredible job! So many options, all perfectly rendered... fantastic! I got my hands on the 30th anniversary DVD set this winter and had a great time reliving the show. The only thing I would change, to make this even more screen-accurate, would be to crack some of the space visors open a bit. ;)

Thanks for your comments Misa, glad to see another Space: 1999 fan! I like the suggestion about the visors. Perhaps when I revise the Eagle in a year or so?

Incredible job! So many options, all perfectly rendered... fantastic! I got my hands on the 30th anniversary DVD set this winter and had a great time reliving the show. The only thing I would change, to make this even more screen-accurate, would be to crack some of the space visors open a bit. ;)

Quoting Henrik Jensen
An excellent rendition of this sci-fi classic. Apparently there are many who have been in possession of such a model. And I've also had one, an Airfix plastic kit, a fine model with removable utility pod. Your model is astonishingly accurate in all aspects, but especially the command module is really well crafted.

Thanks for the comments Henrik! Its seems from the responses thus far that there are indeed many Eagle fans. To my regret, I never was able to get my hands on the Airfix Eagle kit. I'm sure it was an amazing model and I'm also glad you like my version as well.

An excellent rendition of this sci-fi classic. Apparently there are many who have been in possession of such a model. And I've also had one, an Airfix plastic kit, a fine model with removable utility pod. Your model is astonishingly accurate in all aspects, but especially the command module is really well crafted.

Quoting David Roberts
A minifig scale Eagle is something that I've dreamed of building since I was a kid. I had the Dinky toys die-cast model and tried to build one, plus I've started to play around in LDD in my latest Lego building phase. Your version looks superb and very accurate too. I know that you say that the nose isn't a smooth as you'd like but it doesn't have any obvious gaps and the curves look just right. I like how you've taken the time to build all of the different modules, which was a big part of the Eagle's playable fun.

Thanks for your comments Michael and I appreciate the Dinky die cast story as well! Like you said, I knew I needed to build all of the modules and variations if I was going to build the Eagle. You should build your Eagle too!

A minifig scale Eagle is something that I've dreamed of building since I was a kid. I had the Dinky toys die-cast model and tried to build one, plus I've started to play around in LDD in my latest Lego building phase. Your version looks superb and very accurate too. I know that you say that the nose isn't a smooth as you'd like but it doesn't have any obvious gaps and the curves look just right. I like how you've taken the time to build all of the different modules, which was a big part of the Eagle's playable fun.

Quoting KW Vauban
Incredible. Just incredible. I saw another eagle on MOCpages. This MOC was really good and awesome, but yours is even better. It is fantastic. I like how you built the superstructure and the different

Quoting andros tempest
Gerry Anderson had some of the best designers on his shows. I can barely believe this design is nearly 40 years old?! Your version is stunning, this set would be snapped up by collectors.

Thanks for your comments! All I need is some one who can afford the pieces to build this!

Quoting Gabor Pauler
It is a Lego classic! Incredible details. Also it is incredible to see that how far more engineering thought is given by the designer of Eagles than spaceships in Star Wars series. You brought back my childhood for some minutes...

Thanks for your comments. I concur with you on the engineering: it was one aspect of the Eagle that I absolutely loved because its construction seemed so plausible. All I need now is some of your engineering know-how to design a retracting mechanism for the landing pads or an actual working winch!

It is a Lego classic! Incredible details. Also it is incredible to see that how far more engineering thought is given by the designer of Eagles than spaceships in Star Wars series. You brought back my childhood for some minutes...

Quoting Digital Dreams
I always wanted to build one of these but never found the motivation to work out how to get the curved cockpit or the super-structure. You've done a brilliant job of this, and especially on this scale too. Well done.

Thanks for your comments. You should build your own Eagle! Its a lot of fun!

I always wanted to build one of these but never found the motivation to work out how to get the curved cockpit or the super-structure. You've done a brilliant job of this, and especially on this scale too. Well done.

Quoting Jan van den Bos
EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT!
I also followed the show in my youth!
Please share the LDD.
I would very much like to have this true masterpiece in my collection.

Quoting matt rowntRee
It is a true shame that only five like heads can be given. You, sir, are a GOD!!! This is way beyond fantastic, it is utterly perfect. You nailed the proportions and the feel. I have been dying to build an Eagle for over thirty years now and have yet to come close to your immaculate sculpting here. I am in awe at the shaping of the cockpit and the engine modules. I was so hoping that you'd include alternate pods and you once again did not disappoint. This looks like it's right out of the show and Gerry Anderson himself commissioned it. You even got the right colors for the spacesuits. AND A BUGGY! Sorry to drone on but you pegged the nostalgia meter with me. This is way beyond outstanding, this is ART! -standing ovation-

Thanks Matt. I don't know what to say after your truly wonderful comments. I wanted to capture the logic and structure of the original Eagle in the language of Lego, which meant increasing the scale a bit. But this allowed me to get the details I wanted, like the superstructure system, the command module curves, and the outboard fuel pods. It took me three tries to get to the final result: I learned something from each iteration. I loved the Eagle since I was a child and I always wanted to build one in Lego. Now I can cross it off my Lego bucket list. You should build one too!

Quoting Mihe Stonee
That'S an impressive LDD-model! the shape is taken so well! would you share the LDD-file ? I would be interested how you did the cockpit...

Thanks for the comments Mihe. I don't normally share my LDD files. The command module is a hodge-podge of hinges and curved plates. It was tricky to sculpt, especially the rear. If you have any better solutions for the rear of the command module, I would be interested to see them.

Quoting Michael K.
One never heard of this show, but I love how functional everything is.

Thanks Michael. The series was made in England in the mid-70s. The spaceships and sets were very cool, especially to an eight-year boy. The storylines were often interesting but it definitely had some overacting and cheezy costumes. It wasn't the best sci-fi show on TV but the Eagle, in my mind, made up for those deficiencies with pure coolness.

Quoting Matt Bace
Wow! This is epic. It's definitely the best LEGO Eagle I've seen. The shaping and detailing is spot on. I really like how you modeled the curves on the command module -- it looks absolutely perfect.

Thanks Matt! I appreciate the kind words. This model took a while to build. I tried several variations of the superstructure, the command module and the outboard fuel pods until I found a solution that worked in unison, hence the larger scale. I'm satisfied with the results and I'm glad you like it as well.

It is a true shame that only five like heads can be given. You, sir, are a GOD!!! This is way beyond fantastic, it is utterly perfect. You nailed the proportions and the feel. I have been dying to build an Eagle for over thirty years now and have yet to come close to your immaculate sculpting here. I am in awe at the shaping of the cockpit and the engine modules. I was so hoping that you'd include alternate pods and you once again did not disappoint. This looks like it's right out of the show and Gerry Anderson himself commissioned it. You even got the right colors for the spacesuits. AND A BUGGY! Sorry to drone on but you pegged the nostalgia meter with me. This is way beyond outstanding, this is ART! -standing ovation-